Table 1. Regioselectivity with different metals on N-methyl-benzanilides.

Entry	Catalyst	2a yield a (%)	2b yield a (%)
1	FeBr3	<5	<5
2	Fe(OAc)2	<5	<5
3	Co(OAc)2	<5	<5
4	CoF3	<5	<5
5	Bis(1,5-cyclooctadiene)nickel	<5	<5
6	Bis(triphenylphosphine)nickel dichloride	<5	<5
7	CuI	<5	<5
8	[μ-Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane]Au2Cl2	<5	<5
9	AuCl	<5	<5
10	Mn(OAc)2	<5	<5
11	NbCl5	<5	<5
12	(1,5-Cyclooctadiene)(methoxy)iridium	<5	<5
13	Ce(SO4)2·4H2O	<5	<5
14	Rh2(TFA)4	<5	43
15	[(C6H5)3P]3RhCl	<5	8
16	[Cp*RhCl2]2	<5	<5
17	Rh2(OAc)4	<5	37
18	[Ru(p-cymene)Cl 2 ] 2	<5	93 b
19	[(C6H5)3P]3Ru(CO)(Cl)H	<5	73
20	[(C6H5)3P]3RuCl2	<5	60
21 c	Pd(OAc) 2	70 b	<5
22 c	Pd(acac)2	67	<5
23 c	Pd(TFA)2	57	<5

^aConversion ratio.

^bIsolated yield.

^c0.5 h.